Oklahoma governor signs bill to move Native American Day

(AP) A bill endorsed by a broad coalition of Native American groups to celebrate a day for indigenous people on Columbus Day has been signed into law by Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.

The Republican is the first governor in the U.S. to be enrolled as a member of a Native American tribe.

Stitt signed the bill Thursday, saying it was a fair compromise that gives Oklahoma residents an opportunity to celebrate both the 15th century explorer and the state’s indigenous people.

The Inter-Tribal Council of the Five Civilized Tribes, which represents more than 750,000 tribal citizens, passed a resolution earlier this year urging Stitt to sign the measure.

Unlike similar measures approved in several other states, including New Mexico earlier this month , the bill does not replace Columbus Day. It moves Oklahoma’s current Native American Day from November to the second Monday in October